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ayaghmour2 · 11-28-2023, 08:31 PM

Weekly Record: 3-4
Seasonal Record: 11-16 (7th, 6 GB)
Stars of the Week
Sal Pestilli : 27 AB, 10 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .370 AVG, 1.155 OPS
Billy Hunter : 17 AB, 8 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .471 AVG, 1.350 OPS
Harry MacRae : 1 Win, 1 Saves, 4.1 IP, 2 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA

Schedule
5-9: Win vs Wolves (3-7)
5-10: Loss vs Wolves (6-3)
5-11: Win vs Sailors (1-4)
5-12: Loss vs Sailors (5-3)
5-13: Win at Kings (13-7)
5-14: Loss at Kings (2-11)
5-15: Loss at Kings (6-10)

Recap
Jeeze this team is just no good...

Not sure what it is, but we just don't do much winning. We split with the Wolves and Sailors, the two teams with records as bad as us, and then we allowed 28 runs in three games in Brooklyn. We've already allowed 131 runs in 27 games, 23% of our total from last season. All five members of the rotation have an ERA above 3, with Donnie Jones now up to 5.10 after allowing 8 runs off 5 hits and 4 walks in just 3.2 innings in that 11-2 blowout. The homers continue to be an issue, as we've allowed 31, more then a homer a game. None of it makes any sense, but we're as bad as it gets, and it doesn't seem like that will change any time soon.

On the plus side, Billy Hunter had an excellent return to the lineup, going 8-for-17 with 6 runs, 2 walks, and RBI, and a double, triple, and homer. He has just two fewer hits then Clark Car, who is just 10-for-81 with one more walk and the same amount of extra base hits. Hunter will start to take the majority of starts, but with his injury problems, Car will still get a shot to play. Red Bond had a nice power surge, so while he was just 5-for-24, three of those hits were homers and he added 2 walks, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs. Sal Pestilli hit two homers of his own, going 10-for-27 with 2 doubles, a triple, a steal, 2 walks, 6 runs, and 8 RBIs. Otto Christian and Chubby Hall combined to go 6-for-10 with a triple, 2 doubles, 2 walks, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs. Leo Mitchell got a turn in the lineup, and while it wasn't great (5-for-24), he did hit his first homer of the season and his 138th overall. He'll get another week, but if he doesn't do much at the plate, perhaps Chubby Hall will start playing every day.

Do I want to talk about the pitching? Well, let's make this quick. Johnnie Jones was brilliant, picking up a complete game win with 6 hits, a run, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. The rest of the starters? 35 runs, 51 hits, 19 walks. 36.2 innings pitched. I can't remember the last time we did something like that! The pen was mixed, with a rough mop-up job from Charlie Kelsey seeing 5 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Harry MacRae made three appearances, picking up a win and save with 4.1 innings, 2 hits, and 2 walks. The last 2 innings went to Jim Kenny, who's only other entrant on the scoresheet was a hit. I truly can't believe we rank 5th or worst in nearly every pitching category, but here we are! Everyone is having their worst season! What a fun year!

Lastly, Luke Berry was claimed by the now AI-Foresters, so his time in our organization will come to a quick end. He wasn't useful this year, but hit .315/.408/.416 (128 OPS+) in 104 PAs last season. I'm not sure why they claimed him, three of their best players are corner bats (Samuels, Henley, and Martinez) and there's no obvious fit for him on the roster. But I guess they could send down one of their 11 pitchers. We'll see...

Looking Ahead
The season ends on October 2nd, which means we have 4 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days until this nightmare of a season ends. Until then, we just have to play out the games, hoping that we can scratch out more victories then losses. We get a much needed off day to start the week before a string of seven games in six days, starting with a pair against the third place Cannons. At 15-10, they're a game behind the first place Stars and half a game behind their Ohio rivals, and since so much has already gone our way in terms of pitching matchups (which we have not been able to capitalize off of), we are now stuck facing superstar Rufus Barrell (4-1, 1.26, 22), who shut us out two starts ago. He did lose his first game, charged with 6 hits, 3 runs, and 4 walks in 8 innings against the Stars, but that's still way better then whatever we've been able to put together on the mound. After him it will be Charlie Griffith (3-2, 5.62, 9), who has stats more in line with what our guys have thrown.

The Cannons will be without catcher Adam Mullins, who was hitting .400/.451/.600 (173 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 11 RBIs before hitting in the IL with shoulder tendinitis. In his place is longtime Eagle Paul Wilkerson, who has hit a productive .357/.386/.452 (119 OPS+) with 4 doubles in his first 11 games. His performance has been a nice boost, as Mike Taylor (.356, 1, 9, 2) has started to cool and Denny Andrews (.205, 2, 15) is dealing with another tough start to a season. Sure, he rebounded last year and managed to hit 16 homers and 21 doubles with an above average 124 WRC+, but if he can get going the Cannons could replace the Stars atop the association. With a strong supporting cast of Fred Galloway (.318, 1, 7, 2), Chuck Adams (.299, 4, 16), Charlie Rivera (.270, 3, 12, 1), and Joe Burns (.333, 15, 2) they're shaping up to be a serious contender. It's not going to be easy to go into the Queen City and take the series, so all I can hope for is a single win. And it's not coming with Rufus Barrell on the mound...

Next stop, Toronto, for three games with the 11-14 Wolves. They took the series in Chicago, so expect more of the same at Dominion Stadium. George Garrison (1-4, 4.95, 21) finally got his first win of the season, picking up a complete game win in Brooklyn, but he hasn't been his regular self. This was a welcomed change, as he allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, and 4 walks with 2 strikeouts, but Garrison hasn't maintained an ERA above 4 since his aged-21 season in 1939. In his absence, Jim Morrison (3-0, 1.60, 15) has stepped up, and he's in line to start the opener. After Morrison we're set to face winless Jerry York (0-5, 5.45, 12) and Jimmy Gibbs (3-2, 3.06, 12), the same trio that took two of three from us. Of course, we beat York, who allowed 11 hits and 7 runs, but I mentioned Morrison's shutout and only one of the three runs Gibbs allowed was earned. They don't always give their pitchers support, which just two hitters posting an above average WRC+ and OPS+, and one of them is platoon outfielder Dom Tripp (.280, 1, 13). This is a huge series as we look to right the ship, and we cannot afford to keep allowing opportunities like this to slip through our hands.

We then finish our week with a double-header in Cleveland, with Sunday being the only day we spend there. The pitching has been surprisingly good, with three pitchers holding ERAs below 2.20. Leading the team in ERA is Augie Hayes Jr. (2-1, 1.64, 3), who was just shifted to the pen despite allowing just two runs in each of his two starts. John Jackson (2-1, 1.73, 13) and Ducky Davis (4-1, 2.17, 19) are the other two, and since they pitched the double header with the Cannons, we should avoid them. Who we see, however, is anyone's guess, as the team without a GM can give someone a go on short rest or use one of their many relievers for a spot start. Luke Berry won't be there for the series, and one of the other six CA teams could claim him instead, but the Foresters have gotten excellent production from team's cast offs. They claimed Frank Kircher (.354, 5) from the Chiefs and Mark Smith (.306, 6) from the Sailors, and both have hit well since coming over. Still, it's only a matter of time before the game catches up to them, as the only batter I'm truly scared of right now is Jim Adams Jr. (.330, 2, 11, 2). Most years a series with the Foresters would be welcomed, but at this point I'm dreading each game we're scheduled to play.

Minor League Report
RHP Zane Kelley (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Remember this guy? He's still pretty good! Shutouts have become common place for the 23-year-old, who spun a 7-hit shutout with 6 strikeouts to improve to 3-0 on the season. It was his second straight complete game win without a walk, and through four starts he has a miniature 1.26 ERA (322 ERA+) and 0.98 WHIP. With how terrible we've pitched early on, I'm starting to wonder if it's Zane Kelley time, as Charlie Kelsey's grasp on a roster spot is getting looser and looser. The groundballer has allowed just one ball to leave the park, while Duke and Oddo have allowed seven already, and his 12.3 K% and 2.8 K/BB are bests since joining the system. He'll make start five on Wednesday against the St. Paul Disciples, and depending on how our week goes, the one after could come in Chicago. But I may be getting a head of myself, it's just mid-May after all.

LHP Joe Oates (B San Jose Cougars): At least we have this Cougar team to be happy about! Dixie Gaines (8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K) had another stellar start, but the star of the week was Joe Oates. A 9th Rounder last season, the 21-year-old southpaw made all 12 of his appearances in Class B out of the pen, but his four starts this season have been nothing short of a spectacle. After allowing just one run in each of his first two starts, Oates struck out 10 in an 8-hit shutout of the Bakersfield Bears. He walked just one, and improved to 3-0 with three complete games. He followed that up with a fourth, once again beating the Bears. They got to him a bit, scoring 2 runs off 11 hits and 3 walks, but a Tex Kelley (.400, 1, 4) pinch hit home run and a big game (3-5, 2 R, RBI) from Johnnie Love (.391, 3, 20) was enough to get the job done. Oates has now allowed just four runs in 36 innings pitched, working to a 1.17 WHIP and 3.04 FIP (72 FIP-) with 8 walk and 22 strikeouts. His command is looking much better now then it ever has, and the hardworking lefty has done a good job establishing himself as a rotation option early on. He was basically the last man in the system to earn a starting spot, but now it'd be hard to give anyone else a shot over him. This could be a big season for Oates, who now has a a chance to establish himself as a legitimate starting option.

Cougars in the GWL
RHP Luis Sandoval (Houston Bulls): Number 14! Ever since entering the Great Western League, Luis Sandoval has been a shutout machine, and the Bulls veteran bested the Oakland Grays 2-0 to pick up his first shutout of the year. He allowed just 5 hits and a walk with 3 strikeouts, improving him to 4-1 in his 6 starts. Sandoval has a near matching 3.29 ERA (126 ERA+) and 3.26 FIP (78 FIP-), striking out (16) twice as often as he walks (8). His 1.21 WHIP is a bit better then last season, and the back-to-back WAR leader is on pace for a whopping 7.5 in almost 300 innings. That would be huge for the Bulls, who currently lead the GWL by 3 full games. At 18-9, they have an identical record to the Fed leading Gothams, and they've allowed just 90 runs in 27 games. Along with Sandoval, offseason pickup Dan Rivard (2-1, 2.11, 20) and former top-ten prospect Bunny Edwards (4-1, 2.11, 23) have been excellent early on. The offense is great too, with another offseason pickup Al Haines (.363, 17), longtime catcher Dave Doolittle (.345, 1, 11), and deadline acquisition Art Cascone (.351, 8, 27) all hitting .345 or better. They owe a lot of their success to the last place Conquistadores, who not only provided Sandoval, but Rivard, Haines, Cascone, and former 15th ranked prospect Ed Whetzel (2-3, 4.89, 25). It's still early, but right now they have all the makings of a playoff worthy team after coming up just short last year.

11-28-2023, 08:31 PM	#1266
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Week 4: May 9th-May 15th Weekly Record: 3-4 Seasonal Record: 11-16 (7th, 6 GB) Stars of the Week Sal Pestilli : 27 AB, 10 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .370 AVG, 1.155 OPS Billy Hunter : 17 AB, 8 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .471 AVG, 1.350 OPS Harry MacRae : 1 Win, 1 Saves, 4.1 IP, 2 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA Schedule 5-9: Win vs Wolves (3-7) 5-10: Loss vs Wolves (6-3) 5-11: Win vs Sailors (1-4) 5-12: Loss vs Sailors (5-3) 5-13: Win at Kings (13-7) 5-14: Loss at Kings (2-11) 5-15: Loss at Kings (6-10) Recap Jeeze this team is just no good... Not sure what it is, but we just don't do much winning. We split with the Wolves and Sailors, the two teams with records as bad as us, and then we allowed 28 runs in three games in Brooklyn. We've already allowed 131 runs in 27 games, 23% of our total from last season. All five members of the rotation have an ERA above 3, with Donnie Jones now up to 5.10 after allowing 8 runs off 5 hits and 4 walks in just 3.2 innings in that 11-2 blowout. The homers continue to be an issue, as we've allowed 31, more then a homer a game. None of it makes any sense, but we're as bad as it gets, and it doesn't seem like that will change any time soon. On the plus side, Billy Hunter had an excellent return to the lineup, going 8-for-17 with 6 runs, 2 walks, and RBI, and a double, triple, and homer. He has just two fewer hits then Clark Car, who is just 10-for-81 with one more walk and the same amount of extra base hits. Hunter will start to take the majority of starts, but with his injury problems, Car will still get a shot to play. Red Bond had a nice power surge, so while he was just 5-for-24, three of those hits were homers and he added 2 walks, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs. Sal Pestilli hit two homers of his own, going 10-for-27 with 2 doubles, a triple, a steal, 2 walks, 6 runs, and 8 RBIs. Otto Christian and Chubby Hall combined to go 6-for-10 with a triple, 2 doubles, 2 walks, 4 runs, and 6 RBIs. Leo Mitchell got a turn in the lineup, and while it wasn't great (5-for-24), he did hit his first homer of the season and his 138th overall. He'll get another week, but if he doesn't do much at the plate, perhaps Chubby Hall will start playing every day. Do I want to talk about the pitching? Well, let's make this quick. Johnnie Jones was brilliant, picking up a complete game win with 6 hits, a run, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. The rest of the starters? 35 runs, 51 hits, 19 walks. 36.2 innings pitched. I can't remember the last time we did something like that! The pen was mixed, with a rough mop-up job from Charlie Kelsey seeing 5 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Harry MacRae made three appearances, picking up a win and save with 4.1 innings, 2 hits, and 2 walks. The last 2 innings went to Jim Kenny, who's only other entrant on the scoresheet was a hit. I truly can't believe we rank 5th or worst in nearly every pitching category, but here we are! Everyone is having their worst season! What a fun year! Lastly, Luke Berry was claimed by the now AI-Foresters, so his time in our organization will come to a quick end. He wasn't useful this year, but hit .315/.408/.416 (128 OPS+) in 104 PAs last season. I'm not sure why they claimed him, three of their best players are corner bats (Samuels, Henley, and Martinez) and there's no obvious fit for him on the roster. But I guess they could send down one of their 11 pitchers. We'll see... Looking Ahead The season ends on October 2nd, which means we have 4 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days until this nightmare of a season ends. Until then, we just have to play out the games, hoping that we can scratch out more victories then losses. We get a much needed off day to start the week before a string of seven games in six days, starting with a pair against the third place Cannons. At 15-10, they're a game behind the first place Stars and half a game behind their Ohio rivals, and since so much has already gone our way in terms of pitching matchups (which we have not been able to capitalize off of), we are now stuck facing superstar Rufus Barrell (4-1, 1.26, 22), who shut us out two starts ago. He did lose his first game, charged with 6 hits, 3 runs, and 4 walks in 8 innings against the Stars, but that's still way better then whatever we've been able to put together on the mound. After him it will be Charlie Griffith (3-2, 5.62, 9), who has stats more in line with what our guys have thrown. The Cannons will be without catcher Adam Mullins, who was hitting .400/.451/.600 (173 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 11 RBIs before hitting in the IL with shoulder tendinitis. In his place is longtime Eagle Paul Wilkerson, who has hit a productive .357/.386/.452 (119 OPS+) with 4 doubles in his first 11 games. His performance has been a nice boost, as Mike Taylor (.356, 1, 9, 2) has started to cool and Denny Andrews (.205, 2, 15) is dealing with another tough start to a season. Sure, he rebounded last year and managed to hit 16 homers and 21 doubles with an above average 124 WRC+, but if he can get going the Cannons could replace the Stars atop the association. With a strong supporting cast of Fred Galloway (.318, 1, 7, 2), Chuck Adams (.299, 4, 16), Charlie Rivera (.270, 3, 12, 1), and Joe Burns (.333, 15, 2) they're shaping up to be a serious contender. It's not going to be easy to go into the Queen City and take the series, so all I can hope for is a single win. And it's not coming with Rufus Barrell on the mound... Next stop, Toronto, for three games with the 11-14 Wolves. They took the series in Chicago, so expect more of the same at Dominion Stadium. George Garrison (1-4, 4.95, 21) finally got his first win of the season, picking up a complete game win in Brooklyn, but he hasn't been his regular self. This was a welcomed change, as he allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, and 4 walks with 2 strikeouts, but Garrison hasn't maintained an ERA above 4 since his aged-21 season in 1939. In his absence, Jim Morrison (3-0, 1.60, 15) has stepped up, and he's in line to start the opener. After Morrison we're set to face winless Jerry York (0-5, 5.45, 12) and Jimmy Gibbs (3-2, 3.06, 12), the same trio that took two of three from us. Of course, we beat York, who allowed 11 hits and 7 runs, but I mentioned Morrison's shutout and only one of the three runs Gibbs allowed was earned. They don't always give their pitchers support, which just two hitters posting an above average WRC+ and OPS+, and one of them is platoon outfielder Dom Tripp (.280, 1, 13). This is a huge series as we look to right the ship, and we cannot afford to keep allowing opportunities like this to slip through our hands. We then finish our week with a double-header in Cleveland, with Sunday being the only day we spend there. The pitching has been surprisingly good, with three pitchers holding ERAs below 2.20. Leading the team in ERA is Augie Hayes Jr. (2-1, 1.64, 3), who was just shifted to the pen despite allowing just two runs in each of his two starts. John Jackson (2-1, 1.73, 13) and Ducky Davis (4-1, 2.17, 19) are the other two, and since they pitched the double header with the Cannons, we should avoid them. Who we see, however, is anyone's guess, as the team without a GM can give someone a go on short rest or use one of their many relievers for a spot start. Luke Berry won't be there for the series, and one of the other six CA teams could claim him instead, but the Foresters have gotten excellent production from team's cast offs. They claimed Frank Kircher (.354, 5) from the Chiefs and Mark Smith (.306, 6) from the Sailors, and both have hit well since coming over. Still, it's only a matter of time before the game catches up to them, as the only batter I'm truly scared of right now is Jim Adams Jr. (.330, 2, 11, 2). Most years a series with the Foresters would be welcomed, but at this point I'm dreading each game we're scheduled to play. Minor League Report RHP Zane Kelley (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Remember this guy? He's still pretty good! Shutouts have become common place for the 23-year-old, who spun a 7-hit shutout with 6 strikeouts to improve to 3-0 on the season. It was his second straight complete game win without a walk, and through four starts he has a miniature 1.26 ERA (322 ERA+) and 0.98 WHIP. With how terrible we've pitched early on, I'm starting to wonder if it's Zane Kelley time, as Charlie Kelsey's grasp on a roster spot is getting looser and looser. The groundballer has allowed just one ball to leave the park, while Duke and Oddo have allowed seven already, and his 12.3 K% and 2.8 K/BB are bests since joining the system. He'll make start five on Wednesday against the St. Paul Disciples, and depending on how our week goes, the one after could come in Chicago. But I may be getting a head of myself, it's just mid-May after all. LHP Joe Oates (B San Jose Cougars): At least we have this Cougar team to be happy about! Dixie Gaines (8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 K) had another stellar start, but the star of the week was Joe Oates. A 9th Rounder last season, the 21-year-old southpaw made all 12 of his appearances in Class B out of the pen, but his four starts this season have been nothing short of a spectacle. After allowing just one run in each of his first two starts, Oates struck out 10 in an 8-hit shutout of the Bakersfield Bears. He walked just one, and improved to 3-0 with three complete games. He followed that up with a fourth, once again beating the Bears. They got to him a bit, scoring 2 runs off 11 hits and 3 walks, but a Tex Kelley (.400, 1, 4) pinch hit home run and a big game (3-5, 2 R, RBI) from Johnnie Love (.391, 3, 20) was enough to get the job done. Oates has now allowed just four runs in 36 innings pitched, working to a 1.17 WHIP and 3.04 FIP (72 FIP-) with 8 walk and 22 strikeouts. His command is looking much better now then it ever has, and the hardworking lefty has done a good job establishing himself as a rotation option early on. He was basically the last man in the system to earn a starting spot, but now it'd be hard to give anyone else a shot over him. This could be a big season for Oates, who now has a a chance to establish himself as a legitimate starting option. Cougars in the GWL RHP Luis Sandoval (Houston Bulls): Number 14! Ever since entering the Great Western League, Luis Sandoval has been a shutout machine, and the Bulls veteran bested the Oakland Grays 2-0 to pick up his first shutout of the year. He allowed just 5 hits and a walk with 3 strikeouts, improving him to 4-1 in his 6 starts. Sandoval has a near matching 3.29 ERA (126 ERA+) and 3.26 FIP (78 FIP-), striking out (16) twice as often as he walks (8). His 1.21 WHIP is a bit better then last season, and the back-to-back WAR leader is on pace for a whopping 7.5 in almost 300 innings. That would be huge for the Bulls, who currently lead the GWL by 3 full games. At 18-9, they have an identical record to the Fed leading Gothams, and they've allowed just 90 runs in 27 games. Along with Sandoval, offseason pickup Dan Rivard (2-1, 2.11, 20) and former top-ten prospect Bunny Edwards (4-1, 2.11, 23) have been excellent early on. The offense is great too, with another offseason pickup Al Haines (.363, 17), longtime catcher Dave Doolittle (.345, 1, 11), and deadline acquisition Art Cascone (.351, 8, 27) all hitting .345 or better. They owe a lot of their success to the last place Conquistadores, who not only provided Sandoval, but Rivard, Haines, Cascone, and former 15th ranked prospect Ed Whetzel (2-3, 4.89, 25). It's still early, but right now they have all the makings of a playoff worthy team after coming up just short last year.